Rug scrubbing machine



June 2, 1953 w. L. PETERSEN RUG SCRUBBING MACHINE Filed sept. 2s, 194e Patented June 2, 1953 RUG SCRUBBING MACHINE William L. Petersen, West New York, N. J., as-

signor to Clarke Sanding Machine Company, a corporation of Michigan Application September 28, 1948, Serial No. 51,519

4 Claims.

The present invention relates to rug scrubbing machines, and more particularly to portable power driven machines employing a iiat, motordriven brush arranged to shampoo rugs when in position on the floor.

It is well known in the art that a machine having a single, generally at brush rotating on an upright axis so that its lower side bears against the surface of the rug accomplishes certain important advantages over multiple brush machines or brushes rotating on a horizontal axis, for example, but it also is well known that the construction involves certain inherent diiiiculties of control, since prior developments of machines of this general type have displayed a tendency to creep, wander, and move about the floor in an uncontrolled manner due to the friction between the brush and the surface of the rug.

It is accordingly the primary object of the present invention to provide a novel and improved means for controlling the contact between the brush and the floor so that this tendency is overcome.) This involves the provision of an improved frame and cradle structure for supporting the brush, whereby the effective contact between the brush and floor surface may be controlled; both as to the angle of contact of the brush against the floor and also as to the amount of working pressure applied to the brush;

so that efficient scrubbing action is attained without bringing about an objectionable tendency tc creep or wander.

More specifically, it is an object of the invention to provide a rug scrubbing machine including a main frame having a at brush on an upright axis and driving means for the brush,

together with a supporting frame or cradle coacting with the main frame to effectively control the contact between the brush and -rug surface whereby any tendencies of the machine to move with the movement of the brush are overcome without the sacrice of efficiency of operation.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a rug scrubbing machine having a single, generally flat, rotary scrubbing brush rotatably mounted on an axis that is generally upright but inclined from the vertical, so that only one side of the brush engages the rug; together with means to adjust the height of the brush to suit the machine to operation on rugs having various thicknesses and textures of nap while maintaining a fixed and constant inclination of the axis of rotation.

The present preferred embodiment of the invention is shown in the drawings of this specification wherein:

Figure l is the plan View of a rug scrubbing machine in accordance with these teachings; and

Figure 2 is a side elevational view thereof.

The machine comprises, in general, a main frame I0 which carries a revolving scrubbing brush il, and a supporting frame or cradle l2 to suspend the main frame and brush above the floor. A motor housing I3 encloses a motor and reduction gearing to rotate the brush, and the unit is ordinarily provided with an upwardly extending handle i4, the lower end of which terminates in a pair of Aspaced arms I5 pivoted to the frame on the studs I6., It is contemplated that a handle I4 may include a shampoo reservoir I7 and may be provided With a control valve I8 and actuating rod I9 to regulate the flow of liquid shampoo downwardly through a supply tube 20 to an injector tting 2l in the top of the frame I0.

The liquid shampoo may be fed to the brush Il in the usual manner, and a flexible skirt 22 extends downwardly from the frame I@ to surround the brush and conne the foam developed by the action of the brush on the rug.

It has been mentioned that it is one of the aims of the present invention to provide a mechanism wherein the rotary scrubbing brush l l may be raised or lowered with its axis of rotation 23 maintained upright but inclined from the vertical. Thus the axis of rotation is held at a constant, xed angle with respect to the oor surface, so that only one side of the brush is brought into contact with the oor, since it has been learned that a better scrubbing action is attained in this manner than with the entire surface of the brush in contact with the rug, yet any tendency of the machine to wander is overcome.

' To this end the supporting cradle I2 is formed in generally U-shaped or horseshoe shape, as viewed from above, so that the main frame may be positioned between the forwardly extending arms 2d of the cradle. The cradle is provided with casters 25 on adjustable pivot spindles 26 to support the cradle above the oor and to adjust it to a level position.

The inside surfaces of the forwardly extending arms of the cradle l2 are provided with a pair of inclined slides 21 which coact with matching slides 28 secured to the opposite walls of the main frame l0 by flanged brackets 29. Means are provided for shifting the frame l0 longitudinally along the inclined slides so that it is raised or lowered with respect to the cradle, yet held at a lixed angle of inclination with respect to the iloor at all times. In the form of the invention illustrated in the drawings the means for doing this comprise an adjusting screw 3i threaded through a boss 32 at the back of the cradle and provided with a hand Wheel 33 and locknut 3d. The forward end of the screw 31 is grooved'to' form an enlarged head 35 which seated Ain .a socket-.in the adjusting bracket 35i secured to the frame i9 in any conventional manner, as by machine screws 31. The headi of the screw is held in position by..a..retaining plate 38, secured to the bracket by thescrews" 39.

In operation, it will beenscen thatfthe Ilflllle I2 and its casters 25 WiILSupportLthe-.rame 116,.;

the brush Il and the motor housing i3 in such-a manner as to maintain the .axis 2.3,.of the, brush tilted at a fixed angle with respect to the'oor irrespective of the longitudinal position otiadustment with the brush in; the slides 2l-2S- the main housing, however, so thatttihetdegreeof contact between the brush l I and thev surface of the rug may be precisely regulated tothe point where best results are obtained.- witha rug ofany given characteristics of texture or thickness. The brush is raised .or lowered` by. rotating the hand wheel 33 of theA adjusting screw 3l to move the frame `I 0 rearwardly or forwardly in the slides 21-.28. Since these slides .are angularly disposed typev brush, yet to controlfthe contact ofthe brush A on the floor so effectively as to successfully. overcome the diiiiculties of control. heretoforey encountered in machines of this type.

Moreover, the mechanisml here .disclosed accomplishes the desired result in a simple and straightforward .manner` without ,undue `multiplicity Vor complexity 'orparta and by an .arrangement vvherein, all the, parts are so ,assembled `andrelated thatthe entireunitis rugged yet attractive, and is Welladaptd il. economical mass production methods of? manufacture whileat the same time sutedjtc; convenient. andeasy servicing, assembly or repair.

.Having thus described'the invention, what I claim as new' anddesire to 'protectbyjUni-ted States Letters Patent is.:

l.l In a rug scrubbing machine, in combination, a main frame with asingle,I generallyat, circular scrubbing brush rotatably mounted thereon and positioned below the-main frame, and .a'driving motor and reduction gearing on.said.. frame to 'I'he -f .screw-3l provides meanstorraisingor lowering a main frame with a single, generally ilat, circular Y scrubbing brush rotatably mounted thereon and positioned below the main frame, and a driving motorand reduction gearing on said frame to drivethe brush; a. supporting cradle with means zato, holdthecradle above the surface of a floor;

means `for supporting the main frame on the 'cradle at a'iixed incline with respect to the cradle to holdthe brush on a tilted axis of rotation,

and means for raising and lowering the brush with respect to. the cradle to control its contact with the floor; the means for. supporting the main frame comprising vertically shiftable Vcoacting slides on the main frame andthe cradle.

3. In a rug scrubbing machine, in combination. a main frame with a single, generally flat, circular scrubbing brush rotatably mounted thereon `and positioned below the main frame, and a` driving motor and reduction gearing on4 said frame to drive the brush; a supporting cradle with means t0 hold the cradle above the surface of a .floor and means to hold the brush on, a tilted axisof rotation; together with means for raising and lowering the brush with respect to the cradle to control its contact with the floor; themeans to hold the brush comprising vertically shiftable coacting slides on the main frame and the cradle.

4. In a rug scrubbing machine, in combination, amain frame with a single, generally ilat, circular scrubbing brush rotatably mounted thereon and positioned below the .main frame, and means to drive the brush; a supporting cradle; means for supporting the main frame on the cradle at an incline with respect to the floor to hold the brush on' a tilted axis of rotation, and means' for raising and lowering the brush with respect to the cradle to control its contact with the licor, themeans for supporting the main frame. comprising coacting inclined slides on the main'frameand the cradle.

WILLIAM L. PE'I'ERSEN.

References' Cited in the file of thisV patent UNITED STATES' PATENTS 

